Vehicle safety record

2014 BMW 228I Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2014 BMW 228I with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (2) and the engine & cooling (2). Those complaints describe 1 crash. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in November 2026 for the connectors / plugs / receptacles. For comparison, the 2015 has 0.

Share your experience See 5 recalls Read complaints

NHTSA data checked yesterday

24/100Safety Index

FFar more problems than a typical 228I year, for its age

#259 most complained-about 2014 vehicle

Complaints: 7
Recalls: 5
Crashes: 1
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

Most common 2014 BMW 228I problems

Share of all 7 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2014 BMW 228I recalls 5

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Electrical system: connectors / plugs / receptacles

26V733000Nov 4, 2026720,796 vehicles affected

Park outside

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2016 3 Series, 5 Series, Z4, 2012-2015 X1, 2013-2017 X3, 2015-2016 4 Series Gran Coupe, 2 Series Convertible, 2014-2016 328xi Gran Turismo, 2 Series Coupe, 4 Series Convertible, 3 Series Coupe, 3 Series Sportswagon, 2015-2018 X4, and 2016-2018 X5 xDrive40e vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
The risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed. The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in December 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 25, 2026. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24V608. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

Air bags: head

25V871000Dec 17, 2025851 vehicles affected

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive), and 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i, M235i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
The risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine and engine cooling: pump

24V608000Aug 14, 2024720,796 vehicles affected

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
The risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air bags: side / window

24V288000Apr 24, 20245,761 vehicles affected

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
The risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Fuel system: fuel pump

15V189000Mar 31, 201518,054 vehicles affected

The problem: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 228i Coupe, M235i Coupe, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, ActiveHybrid 3, 328xi Sports Wagon, 428i Coupe, 428xi Coupe, 435i Coupe, 435xi Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428xi Convertible, 435i Convertible, 328xi Gran Turismo, 335xi Gran Turismo, and 2015 428i Gran Coupe, 428xi Gran Coupe, and 435i Gran Coupe vehicles. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on May 28, 2015. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

What owners say

Be the first 228I owner to share.

2 people checked this vehicle in the last 30 days. Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now

7 complaints about the 2014 BMW 228I

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Engine & coolingElectrical system

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 228I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Electrical system

Horn failure. Took the car to an independent BMW repair shop and found a blown fuse and said both the high pitch and low pitch have gone bad and need replacement at a cost of $850!

Engine & cooling

Manufacturer has no updates on providing a repair for the recall they've issued for the Engine Coolant Pump.

Fuel system

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Highly disappointed in BMW for a severe safety issue. My pregnant wife was driving this car. The plastic fuel tank started leaking which was very very scary. There is no sensor or alert on the car to notify of this. Our mechanic suggested that this was a manufacturing problem. There was no damage to the car (e.g. no accident or bump). This was apparently a spontaneous failure caused by poor manufacturing and...

Read the full complaint

design quality. This is a dangerous condition. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Fuel was leaking out of the vehicle and it could have easily started a fire with passengers inside or bystanders nearby. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This issue was confirmed as a known problem by BWM. I cannot explain why they did not send notification to owners - this is clearly a safety issue. I called the dealership in Irvine CA and they gave me the runaround. I brought the car to an independent mechanic who confirmed the fuel tank was leaking through a poor weld (its plastic). Once the issue was confirmed I called the BMW dealer again. They again gave me the runaround. Later I discovered there was a "warranty extension" issued. I submitted a reimbursement request for the $1300 repair but BWM denied it. They say the repair was completed in October 2022, but they won't pay for repairs made after April 2022. This is nonsense. NTSB should intervene. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I saved the tank and have photos. BMW did not take responsibility and the tank was eventually discarded. BMW confirmed that they are aware of this safety issue. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? None. BMW did not notify customers.

Steering

I own a 2014 228i coupe, build date 03/2014 - the bolts securing the power steering motor to the rack have snapped leading to a power steering failure. This failure is consistent with: bmw tis service bulletin # si b01 26 18 I called bmw to report the problem and was told that despite the fact that the bulletin describes my car as being effected, my vin is not listed in the part specific extended warranty and I would be forced to pay for this safety related defect out of my own pocket. My part number,...

Read the full complaint

location, symptoms, failure type, car make model and build date all match the criteria for the part specific extended warranty. The first bolt failed in may 2019, the second bolt that I can see sometime in april or may 2020. The car can currently steer, but with a lot of noise from the power steering motor, and without any power steering assistance. The failure was first noticed while stopped in my driveway, about to pull out. I have not yet brought my car in to bmw because I would like to ensure that my car falls under the extended warranty before I do. *Tr

Fuel system

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 bmw 228i. While driving at approximately 65 mph, a warning message illuminated stating that a failure occurred and to please go to the nearest service center. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,500. Updated 05/06/16*lj *cn

AirbagsBrakesCrash

The accident happened while I was driving home from the dealer. While driving up a hill a suv three cars in front of me slammed on their brakes and stopped in the middle of a two lane road to make a left hand turn. The other two suv's in front of me were forced to hit their brakes hard. From a speed of 35 mph and a following distance of four car lengths I applied the brakes. Nothing happened. As I applied the brakes harder the car still failed to slow down other than for the slight bit from going up hill. I was...

Read the full complaint

forced to fully depress the brake pedal, but still nothing happened. Moments later I impacted the rear of the third car that had stopped in front of me. As a result of the accident my car requires extensive repairs to the front end. The two cars in front were not involved in any collision. After the accident there were no skid marks that would have indicated the brake had locked up and the airbags did not deploy. *Tr

BMW 228I: every year compared

72014 2015 2016 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Top problem	Grade
2016	0	2	0	-	B
2015	0	4	0	-	C
2014	7	5	1	Electrical system	F

All 228I years

2014 BMW 228I vs rivals

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Grade
2014 BMW 228I	7	5	1	F
2014 BMW 328D	153	7	5	F	Compare
2014 BMW 328D Xdrive	153	0	5	-	Compare
2014 BMW 328I Xdrive	152	0	19	C	Compare
2014 BMW 328I Xdrive GT	152	0	19	-	Compare
2014 BMW 328I	152	9	19	F	Compare
2014 BMW 320I	53	7	5	F	Compare
2014 BMW 320I Xdrive	53	0	5	-	Compare
2014 BMW 335I Xdrive	20	0	2	C	Compare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Questions about the 2014 BMW 228I

Does the 2014 BMW 228I have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2014 BMW 228I: connectors / plugs / receptacles (November 2026); head (December 2025); pump (August 2024); side / window (April 2024) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2014 BMW 228I?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (2), engine & cooling (2), fuel system (2).

How many complaints has the 2014 BMW 228I had?

7 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 2, 2014 and the latest on July 14, 2025. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2014 BMW 228I a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 24 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical BMW 228I year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

What should I do if my 2014 BMW 228I has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked yesterday. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

2014 BMW 228I Problems, complaints & recalls

Most common 2014 BMW 228I problems

2014 BMW 228I recalls 5

What owners say

7 complaints about the 2014 BMW 228I

BMW 228I: every year compared

2014 BMW 228I vs rivals

Own a 2014 BMW 228I? Share your experience.

Questions about the 2014 BMW 228I